Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (12th May, 2026) |

National News

What Is Mission Sehat? The Initiative Everyone Is Talking About

On 11 May 2026, India launched the Sehat Mission in New Delhi under the leadership of Narendra Modi, aiming to link agriculture, nutrition, and healthcare into a unified national strategy.
The mission is a joint initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, focusing on shifting India from a disease-treatment model to a prevention and nutrition-based healthcare system.
It addresses key challenges like malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases by promoting bio-fortified crops, millets, integrated farming systems, and “food as medicine” principles.
Through a One Health approach combining human, animal, and environmental health, the mission aims to improve public health, farmer income, and sustainable food systems across the country.

India’s Latest Mission Could Change Rural Jobs Forever Under VB-G RAM G Act From July 1, 2026

The Government of India has announced the rollout of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G Act), which will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from 1 July 2026, marking a major shift in rural employment policy.
Under the new framework, eligible rural households will receive a legal guarantee of 125 days of wage employment annually, along with continued unemployment allowance and stronger livelihood support mechanisms.
The program has a record budget allocation of about ₹95,692 crore for 2026–27, aiming to boost rural infrastructure, job creation, and village-level economic development through enhanced spending and asset creation.
With continued Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), upgraded job cards, and a stronger role for Gram Panchayats, the reform focuses on transparency, faster wage payments, and decentralized rural governance.

What Is the New 1% Cess Rule? Here’s What It Means for Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified a 1% construction welfare cess to support welfare schemes for construction workers across India from May 1, 2026.
The cess will be charged on the total construction cost excluding land and compensation expenses, with funds managed by state welfare boards for worker benefits.
The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare, education assistance, insurance, and social security for workers in the informal construction sector.
The reform is part of India’s new labour codes, while concerns remain over nearly ₹49,800 crore unutilised welfare funds due to registration gaps and administrative delays.

What Is ‘One Case One Data’? The New Reform of Supreme Court Explained

Supreme Court of India launched the ‘One Case One Data’ initiative to digitally integrate judicial records across Supreme Court, High Courts, district and taluka courts.
The reform aims to improve case tracking, document verification, inter-court coordination and faster access to judicial information through a unified digital system.
Alongside this, the AI-powered chatbot ‘Su-Sahayak’, developed by the National Informatics Centre, was introduced to assist litigants, lawyers and citizens with court-related services.
The initiative reflects India’s push toward AI-driven judicial modernization, improving efficiency, transparency and digital accessibility in the justice delivery system.

State News

Suvendu Adhikari Announces Cabinet Portfolios After Taking Oath

Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister of West Bengal, with BJP forming new state government.
The cabinet includes Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik and others handling key departments like panchayat, welfare and development.
First cabinet meeting at Nabanna reportedly approved Ayushman Bharat rollout, BSF land transfer, and job-age relaxation measures.
The transition is seen as a major political shift after TMC dominance, reshaping West Bengal governance priorities according to reported political developments in 2026 state.

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State News

Assam Enters New Leadership Phase as CM Himanta Sarma Sworn In Again

Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, marking the NDA government’s third straight victory since 2016.
The grand ceremony in Guwahati was attended by PM Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and several BJP-NDA Chief Ministers and leaders.
Along with him, Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, Charan Boro, and Ajanta Neog took oath as ministers in the new cabinet.
The NDA alliance secured a two-thirds majority in Assam Assembly elections, while Ranjeet Kumar Dass was nominated as the new Assembly Speaker.\

What Is the KAAMS App? The New Tech Changing Government Attendance

Karnataka has introduced the Kartavya-KAAMS App (Karnataka Advanced Attendance Management System) to modernize attendance tracking in government institutions from the 2026–27 academic year.
The system replaces traditional biometric attendance with AI-based facial recognition, geo-fencing, and HRMS integration to ensure accurate and transparent workforce monitoring for teachers, headmasters, and staff.
Developed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, the app requires employees to mark “In Time” and “Out Time” attendance daily and links with systems like HRMS and student performance tracking platforms.
The rollout aims to cover over 20 lakh government employees, improving efficiency, accountability, and digital governance across Karnataka’s public sector.

What Is a Low Emission Zone? Pune Is About to Find Out First

Pune is set to introduce India’s first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the Shivajinagar area, marking a significant step toward urban air quality control and sustainable mobility.
The project is being developed by the Pune Municipal Corporation with support from ITDP India and aligns with the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 to promote cleaner transport systems.
The LEZ will restrict or regulate high-emission vehicles, especially older vehicles below Bharat Stage-III norms and pre-2011 registrations, within about 7–10% of Pune’s central business district, using pollution charges and penalties for compliance. Enforcement will rely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems.

Rajasthan Expands Breast Milk Donation Initiative for Newborn Care

Rajasthan has expanded its newborn nutrition and breast milk donation initiative through the Yashoda Mothers programme and state-run human milk banks to support infants who lack access to maternal breast milk.
The initiative includes key facilities such as the Mother Milk Bank at Barmer District Hospital, Jeevan Dhara Milk Bank, and the Aanchal Mother Milk Bank, which collect, screen, and safely store donated breast milk for neonatal care.
These human milk banks follow strict medical protocols including infection screening (HIV testing) and storage at controlled temperatures (around −19°C), ensuring safe distribution to newborns in NICUs and reducing infant mortality risks.
The programme, supported under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative, promotes lactating mothers as “Yashoda Mothers” and has significantly strengthened neonatal healthcare and nutrition support across the state.

Banking News

This New Mechanism Could Transform How Investments Work in India

Securities and Exchange Board of India has proposed a major reform called the GARUDA mechanism (Green-Channel: AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement) to speed up the launch process of Alternative Investment Funds and improve ease of doing business in India’s fast-growing investment ecosystem.
Currently, AIF schemes take around 30 days after filing a placement memorandum, but under GARUDA, eligible schemes may launch in as little as 10 working days, significantly improving capital deployment speed and efficiency.
The reform also simplifies processes for accredited investor-only funds and angel funds, allowing direct filings and reduced compliance requirements while still maintaining regulatory oversight through post-review checks.
With AIF commitments reaching ₹15.74 lakh crore, SEBI’s proposal aims to boost startups, private equity, infrastructure funding, and investor confidence, while strengthening India’s alternative investment market.

Why Investors Are Talking About This New IT Index Launch

BSE has launched F&O contracts on the Focused IT Index, becoming India’s first exchange to offer IT sector-specific derivatives for trading and hedging.
The index tracks 14 major IT companies and aims to improve risk management amid global factors like currency fluctuations and AI-driven trends.
On launch day, it recorded 172 participants and about ₹148 crore turnover, showing strong investor interest.
The product enables sectoral trading, enhances price discovery, and supports institutional portfolio hedging in the volatile IT sector.

Banking News

Rolls-Royce Plans Major Expansion in India Across Defence and Energy

Rolls-Royce plc has announced a major expansion in India across defence, civil aviation, and energy, including fighter jet engines and nuclear power solutions, aligning with India’s industrial and defence modernisation goals.
In defence, the company plans to co-develop a 120 kN-class next-generation fighter engine to support India’s indigenous fifth-generation programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), along with deep localisation and potential technology transfer.
The expansion also focuses on strengthening Indian supply chains, boosting local manufacturing, and expanding support for the Army, Navy and Coast Guard with advanced propulsion systems, while exploring nuclear and industrial energy solutions.

Appointments News

What Makes This New SAIL Chairman So Important Right Now?

Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda has taken charge as the Chairman & Managing Director of Steel Authority of India Limited, marking a key leadership transition in one of India’s largest public sector steel companies.
With over three decades of experience in SAIL, he began as a Management Trainee in 1992 and later held senior roles including Director (Finance) and Director (Commercial), showcasing strong internal leadership growth.
During his tenure, he focused on improving operational efficiency, product mix, sales volumes, net sales realisation, inventory management, and strategic market alignment across the organisation.
His vision for SAIL includes expanding capacity to 35 MTPA, strengthening safety, raw material security, branding, and market growth, supporting India’s broader goal of becoming a global leader in steel production and infrastructure development.

Awards News

India Celebrates Healthcare Heroes with Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Nurses Day.
The awards, instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, honor outstanding nursing professionals for their dedication, compassion and healthcare service.
Awardees included Kulwinder Parhi, Ujwala Mahadev Soyam, Lalenthangi Hnamte, Gita Karmakar and Maj Gen Lissamma PV from various states and institutions across India.
The 2026 theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” highlights better working conditions, leadership opportunities and quality training for nurses nationwide.

Schemes News

What Is the ‘Made in India Brand Scheme’? A Game-Changer For Manufacturing?

India plans to launch the Made in India Brand Scheme to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports across key industrial sectors.
The government may identify nearly 100 products, including automobile axles and motorcycle components, to boost local production and global competitiveness.
The scheme will likely introduce a Made in India certification, quality benchmarks and a dedicated logo to improve trust in Indian-made products.
The initiative supports larger programs like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, PLI schemes, and India’s strategy to expand exports through global Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

What Is ‘Annapurna Bhandaar’ Scheme – Why is it Important for Women of West Bengal?

Suvendu Adhikari announced the Annapurna Bhandaar Scheme, offering ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance to eligible women across West Bengal through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The scheme, expected to begin from June 1, 2026, aims to strengthen women’s financial independence and replace the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme with higher uniform benefits.
The new government also approved free bus travel for women and announced implementation of central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, PM Vishwakarma, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Additional cabinet decisions included BSF land transfer for border fencing, welfare initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and expanded social security measures in the state.

Important Days News

What Makes International Nurses Day So Important Globally?

International Nurses Day 2026 was celebrated worldwide on May 12 to honor the dedication, sacrifice and service of nurses in global healthcare systems.
The 2026 theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” highlights the need for better training, safety, leadership and mental health support.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, known as “The Lady with the Lamp” for her work during the Crimean War.
Celebrated in over 130 countries, the occasion recognizes nurses’ frontline role during pandemics, disasters and healthcare emergencies while promoting respect for the nursing profession.

Why Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 Is More Important Than Ever

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is being observed from 11–17 May with the theme “Action”, promoting practical steps to improve mental wellbeing.
Organized by the Mental Health Foundation and supported by the NHS and Mind, the campaign focuses on hope, prevention and human connection.
The initiative encourages activities like physical exercise, mindfulness, emotional support, volunteering and participating in Wear it Green Day to raise awareness.
Experts highlight that early support, reducing workplace stress, emotional education and stronger community connections are essential for improving global mental health outcomes.

International Day of Plant Health 2026: Date, Theme, and Why It Matters for Food Security

International Day of Plant Health is observed every year on 12 May to raise global awareness about protecting plants from pests, diseases and environmental threats, under the guidance of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
The 2026 theme, “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security,” highlights the need to safeguard crops and ecosystems to ensure global food security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity protection.
Plants are critical to life as they provide most of the world’s food and a major share of oxygen, making plant health essential for human survival, economic stability and environmental balance.
The observance also supports the One Health approach, linking human, animal, plant and environmental health, with key global coordination by FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).